Dallas Legal Hospice

Programs: Legal hospice of texas (lht) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) law firm established in 1989 to specifically address the health related, civil legal needs of low-income individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness or hiv-disease. Lht provides free legal counsel, representation, and advocacy to clients who are hiv-positive or terminally ill; cannot afford an attorney; reside in our service area; and have legal challenges relating to or impacting their health. When lht began in 1989, the primary need for our clients was estate planning. Advances in medical technology and knowledge have dramatically changed the needs of our clients and the nature of our services. Our clients are now living longer and have more productive lives. Consequently, the legal issues they face are new and even more complicated. In 2007, the board of directors registered the dba legal hospice of texas as more reflective of our current organization and its growing geographic area of services. Legal hospice of texas served 659 clients this year. In our 29 years, of operation, we have assisted over 15,500 clients. In appeals of denied benefits, we have recovered in excess of $2,970,000, and we have also mediated forward awards in excess of $20,000 per month; all of this to provide a higher quality of life for our clients and their families as they struggle with extreme health problems. We currently have a staff of five full-time employees. Volunteers provide significant support to the agency as well as direct services to clients, and include attorneys, notaries, paraprofessionals, language interpreters, office/clerical support, and special events support. This year, 270 volunteers donated 1,375 hours with an estimated value of $160,875.